Exploring the Best PC Games of October with RTX2080Ti

Every October, various PC games are released in droves. This year coincided with significant updates to two core hardware components – CPU and GPU – just before October, allowing me to assemble a powerful PC gaming rig for some gaming fun. At the beginning of this article, I think it’s necessary to share the specifications of this PC gaming machine:

Processor: i9-9900K
Motherboard: ROG MAXIMUS XI GENE
Cooler: Deepcool Gamer Storm Castle 240 AIO
Memory: ZADAK SHIELD 32GB × 2
Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX2080Ti
SSD: Plextor 512GB M9PeG
Power Supply: ROG Thor 1200W
Case: Phanteks Evolv X
Monitor: ROG PG27UQ

As the most powerful PC gaming rig, the latest and greatest Intel Core i9-9900K processor and RTX2080Ti are essential. Additionally, to enhance the gaming experience, I used the ROG PG27UQ monitor, which supports 4K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and HDR display.

The motherboard and memory are among the first in China to feature the ROG MAXIMUS XI GENE (M11G) motherboard and ZADAK’s dual-layer memory. The former is a mini version of the M11E, with similar configurations, and supports ASUS’s exclusive dual-layer memory technology. It even has four M.2 SSD slots; the dual-layer memory, a new product from ASUS in collaboration with memory manufacturers, allows each stick to reach 32GB, so even though I only installed two sticks, the total memory capacity is already 64GB.

Regarding the pairing of this motherboard and memory, I will later write a detailed experience article to share more with everyone. But today, the main focus is on the games!

Call of Duty 15: The New Battle Royale Era Emphasizes Quick Resolutions

As a FPS game fan, I first focused on Call of Duty 15: Black Ops 4 and Battlefield 5. Unfortunately, the latter was delayed until November, so I had to enjoy Call of Duty 15: Black Ops 4 first. As Activision’s cash cow, the Call of Duty series has reached its 15th year. This year’s Call of Duty 15: Black Ops 4 has shifted away from the single-player narrative style and embraced an “online competitive” approach, set in a post-modern background, where you’ll see many familiar yet unfamiliar weapons and equipment, primarily redesigned based on existing weaponry.

Call of Duty 15 features three main modes: Multiplayer (competitive), Blackout (battle royale), and Zombie mode. Excluding the rather boring Zombie mode, the multiplayer competitive feel is reminiscent of my previous experience with Call of Duty Online, except now each character has corresponding specialties and skills, which bear a high similarity to Rainbow Six, making it feel tailored for CS and Rainbow Six players.

What I enjoyed most was the Blackout mode, i.e., the battle royale mode. Last year’s best-selling game, PUBG, has gradually declined, while Fortnite has not gained traction in China. This is why I decided to try the Call of Duty flavor of battle royale. Previously, Call of Duty left me with a strong impression of its quality narrative, but now, without the story, its shooting and impact feel lackluster. The shooting styles between different “sensitive content” types lack significant differentiation, making it seem like there are only submachine guns, rifles, sniper rifles, and machine guns.

With the AURA SYNC lighting effects linked to the game

Fortunately, the overall pace of the Blackout mode is quite fast; items can be picked up in a second, and healing can be done while running, even allowing one-handed shooting underwater. I personally enjoy this fast-paced, no-brainer battle royale mode, as it is exhilarating and not as overly realistic as PUBG, which can feel constricting.

Of course, another reason I played Call of Duty 15 is that it is probably the best-looking battle royale game currently available. Its graphics are bright and colorful, with excellent lighting and water effects, and it supports HDR display. However, despite transitioning from a single-player to an online game, its requirements are still high, recommending a GTX970-level graphics card, and the entire game file reaches 60GB. On my RTX2080Ti, playing at 4K resolution with the highest settings averages around 87 frames, which hasn’t yet matched the 144Hz monitor refresh rate. Fortunately, the monitor has G-SYNC technology to prevent screen tearing.

The lighting effects change to red after death

Finally, let’s talk about the downsides. Apart from the less-than-stellar shooting feel, its replay system is also poorly executed. While you can view recent games, it only records the first few minutes, and I missed capturing some excellent moments due to the replay system’s shortcomings. Playing games is not only about the enjoyment during gameplay; sharing experiences with others afterward is equally enjoyable. I hope they can optimize the replay system soon. In summary, regarding Call of Duty 15: Black Ops 4:

Exquisite graphics, fast pace, suitable for those focused on reconnaissance and shooting;
Diverse weapon and equipment systems: even flying in the sky could be another player’s helicopter;
Missing single-player narrative is unfortunate; multiplayer modes still need breakthroughs;
Replay system and shooting feel are weaknesses.

Why I, without a driver’s license, Enjoy Driving? Probably Because of Forza Horizon 4

To confess, I still don’t have a driver’s license, but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying racing games! The racing game that left a deep impression on me as a child is probably the Need for Speed series. Unfortunately, it has become quite stale in recent years. Recently, the popular Forza Horizon 4 was released this month, and as a former racing game fan, I naturally couldn’t miss it.

Since the Need for Speed series evolved to 10, I haven’t played many racing games, so my first experience with Forza Horizon 4 was quite refreshing. The Forza Horizon series is known for its top-notch graphics, and this time is no exception. I previously shared some game screenshots on Weibo, and each one is wallpaper-worthy. If you don’t look closely, you might confuse it with reality, especially regarding the car’s detail. Even if you don’t drive the car, just looking at the cars in the garage gives a sense of vanity satisfaction. Let’s talk about some highlights of Forza Horizon 4! The most prominent is that it’s not just a simple racing game; it’s a large racing carnival with various car-related activities and diverse gameplay, including racing with boats and storylines featuring the Halo series, truly making you feel: Wow, racing games can be played like this!

Game screenshot

While others are still playing dynamic weather systems, Forza Horizon 4 has already added seasonal changes to the game. Each season represents a racing season, which means that even the same track will have different weather and road conditions in different seasons. Each change can affect the race, keeping the game interesting.

Speaking of keeping it interesting, Forza Horizon 4 is not just a single-player game – or rather, it’s not purely a single-player game. You can play solo, or invite friends to compete, participate in various carnival races and limited-time events. Even if your friends are not online at the moment, you can still see their “shadows” in the game. Vehicle customization is also a significant attraction, allowing you to upgrade your own paint jobs and download other players’ preset configurations online. Whether you’re a lazy person like me or a hands-on expert, you can spend a lot of time in this game. For car collectors, the game features over 450 cars, which is a feast for the eyes. From the latest supercars to classic models, you decide whether to race vintage cars or supercars. Currently, I have 63 cars, which is relatively few for hardcore players.

To be honest, I used to doubt when others said, “For racing games, having a steering wheel makes it feel like two completely different games,” but now that I’ve specifically set up a Thrustmaster T300 steering wheel, I’ve realized it’s true. I used to be a “keyboard warrior,” playing racing games solely with the keyboard, and now I’ve discovered that linear throttle and steering angle are equally crucial, making the game more challenging. So, summarizing Forza Horizon 4:

Full of freshness and excitement, with interesting gameplay;
Many ways to keep you engaged, such as lottery draws and paint upgrades;
Graphics that rival reality, with various photo opportunities.

Entering Ancient Greece in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Becoming a Spartan Warrior

After exploring the automotive world, let’s turn back the clock to 431 BC and take a look at the glorious civilization of ancient Greece. This time, Ubisoft has told a grand historical tale and mythological story through Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, which makes me admire their choice of material. As a liberal arts student, I recognized many familiar names in the game: Leonidas, Pericles, Spartan 300 warriors, etc., and even saw statues of Poseidon and temples of Apollo in the game, all of which stirred my blood. This time, I will become a Spartan.

This game revolves around the military conflict between Sparta and Athens, incorporating a system similar to “national battles.” Besides engaging in military sabotage as a mercenary before the war, there’s also the opportunity to join the fight as a soldier and clash with enemies. Although the battles may not involve thousands of troops, I certainly experienced the chaotic close combat, making me admire the bravery of the warriors back in the day!

In addition to the national battle system, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey has also introduced an improved naval combat system, as the game requires traveling between various islands in the Mediterranean civilization. Honestly, this is my first time playing this type of naval battle, and the game’s graphics are outstanding. Amidst the waves, warriors shout battle cries, shooting arrows at enemy ships, creating a raw and brutal combat scene that is quite enjoyable.

The story has always been a captivating aspect of the Assassin’s Creed series, and this time is no exception. At the beginning of the game, you can choose between two modes: guided mode and exploration mode. The former provides ample guidance for the storyline, while the latter requires you to find tasks and trigger plot points yourself, sometimes without even telling you where the trigger is. When choosing, the system indicates that the latter mode is more suitable for Assassin’s Creed, so I impulsively selected exploration mode and embarked on a journey of grinding.

I must say that the entire plot system and worldview of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey are impressively vast. When you genuinely invest time into playing, you’ll discover that each plot development takes a considerable amount of time and affects the subsequent ending, while also considering your gear upgrades, level progression, ship upgrades, etc. This should be the most grinding game I’ve played this month – under the premise of the difficulty being “normal.” On the other hand, this iteration of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is the one I’m most willing to play in the series, as there are many details worth pondering and researching. Even if it serves as half a history book, it’s still worthwhile. Summarizing Assassin’s Creed Odyssey:

Visually pleasing;
Well-crafted storyline, rich in historical context;
Not only small battles but also large wars, even naval battles;
To play well, it requires a significant time investment.

The Rebirth Finale: How Lara Interprets in Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Originally, Shadow of the Tomb Raider was a game released in September, but I only recently started playing it, and since this game is quite famous, I’d like to share my experience as well. I’ve never been particularly interested in the Tomb Raider series, mainly because this type of puzzle-solving adventure game doesn’t suit me. However, I went in with a mindset to try it out and found it quite enjoyable. I used to think that Assassin’s Creed and Tomb Raider were somewhat similar, but now I see they are quite different.

Among the four games I played, Shadow of the Tomb Raider had the best graphics. It leads the way in supporting new display technologies, such as RTX real-time ray tracing technology and DLSS anti-aliasing technology, although note that it is “to be supported.” I previously watched a demo video of Shadow of the Tomb Raider running RTX, which looked incredibly realistic, but it hasn’t been well supported yet. Nevertheless, even without these two technologies, its lighting effects, textures, hair and leaf effects are impressive.

Back to the game, this installment still follows the familiar formula, exploring various ancient tombs while fighting against the arch-nemesis Trinity, with a strongman friend assisting. The overall graphic style of the game is darker and bloodier than previous installments, and I personally found the puzzles to be significantly more challenging, which is quite frustrating for someone like me who isn’t good at solving puzzles. When there are enemies, it’s straightforward; without enemies, you can only rely on clues, which is quite agonizing! Speaking of which, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is quite suitable for HDR display, creating an eerie and dark atmosphere. For instance, in the above image, Lara wandering alone in the forest after a plane crash is depicted perfectly. Honestly, the overall quality of Shadow of the Tomb Raider is quite high, but it still doesn’t quite match my tastes. Here’s a summary:

Outstanding game graphics, featuring all the necessary new technologies;
Familiar or somewhat formulaic narrative structure;
Some scenes are darker and more unsuitable for children than before.

4K Gaming is Challenging, but the RTX2080Ti Performs Decently

Having played through most of the games released in October, a noticeable feeling is that the graphics of PC games have indeed advanced significantly in recent years, but revolutionary breakthroughs are rare. The RTX real-time ray tracing technology and DLSS anti-aliasing, along with the long-discussed HDR display effects, still require widespread support from games, RTX graphics cards, and HDR monitors before they can truly be experienced by players. As for the quality of the games themselves, everyone has their preferences. For instance, I’m an FPS player, and I might not enjoy puzzle or stealth games. Games like Call of Duty 15: Black Ops 4 and Forza Horizon 4, which are exhilarating to play, suit me better. I also look forward to hearing your thoughts on PC gaming, including but not limited to October releases, such as my forever favorite Overwatch, or next month’s wallet-draining Battlefield 5.

Finally, let’s take a look at the performance of the RTX2080Ti under 4K resolution and maximum graphics settings across four games:

Call of Duty 15: Black Ops 4 averages 87 frames;
Forza Horizon 4 averages 85 frames;
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey averages 53 frames;
Shadow of the Tomb Raider averages 58 frames.

It’s evident that the two competitive and confrontational games have higher frame rates because when competition is involved, graphics can be compromised, which is why some players opt for lower graphics settings in games like CS:GO and Overwatch. The latter two games focus more on the gaming experience, capturing more details, so even with lower frame rates, as long as the graphics are excellent, it’s acceptable. Of course, not everyone has a high-quality and high-demand monitor like the PG27UQ; if the resolution is lowered to 2K, I believe the RTX2080Ti would perform even better.

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